Electric steam-generator and water-heater



(No Model.)

H. R. B-UTTERPIELD.

ELECTRIC STEAM GENERATOR AND WATER HEATER. No. 437,771. Patented 001:.7, 1890.

, Z A I 172W 0?. Main UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY R. BUTTERFIELD, OF IVATERVILLE, MAINE.

ELECTRIC STEAM-GENERATOR AND WATER-HEATER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Ive 437,771, dated October'7, 1890.

Application filed September 12, 1889. Renewed May 15, 1890. Serial No.361,846- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY R. BUTTER- FIELD, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at IVaterville, in the county of Kennebee and State ofMaine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSteam-Generators and ater-Heaters; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make anduse the same.

This invention relates to devices for generating steam by heat due toelectricity or heating water to a less degree by the same means.

The object of said invention is to increase the simplicity andefficiency of such devices. This object I attain by a wire coiled on atube of non-conducting material and inclosed within another layer of thesame, and a metallic rod extending from end to end of the tube andhaving one end of the wire attached thereto, said wire and rod formingpart of an electric circuit, these heating devices being immersed in thewater of a boiler or other receptacle and duplicated or multiplied toany necessary extent.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view,partly broken away, of a furnace having a boiler therein provided withmy electric heating-tubes. Fig. 2 represents a detail perspective viewof one of said tubes, the outer envelope being turned back at one end toshow the wire. Fig. 3 represents a similar view of the same tube brokenin the middle for the same purpose. Fig. 4 represents a perspective viewof the entire tube as it normally appears. Fig. 5 represents a detailview of the rod before referred to. Fig. 6 represents detail view of thedisks which close the ends of the tubes and are perforated centrally forsaid rods.

A designates a furnace, B a boiler within the same, and O the electricheating-tubes running longitudinally, as shown, after the usualarrangement of fire-tubes, although I do not limit myself to anyparticular number, location, or position. Each of these heating-tubesconsists of an interior tube D, of some non-conducting material, a wireE, wound thereon, an exterior tube or layer F,

of non-conducting material, centrally-perforated disksG H, ofnon-conducting material, closing the ends of the tube, and a rod I, ofconducting material, extending from end to end of the tube through thecentral perforations g 72. of said disks and having an eye I at one endto receive the proximate end of the wire E. This practically brings thetermini of the coil very near each other, which is frequently veryconvenient in connecting said wire coils in circuit. It would bepossible to dispense with the rod and carry an extension of the wire Eback through the tube instead; but the rigidity of the rod and thecentral perforations of the disks enable said rod to brace the tube asaWhole, besides maintaining accurately its central position.

Of course water may be heated in this manner for use in warmingdwellings or other structures, or for any other service which requiresheated water or steam. The same de vices may also be used for raisingthe temperature of any other substance besides water, whether liquid,solid, or gaseous.

I prefer that the wire of the coil should be naked. If wound with care,there is no danger of short-circuiting; but it may of course be coveredwithout departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination. with a non-conducting tube, a wire wound thereon andforming part of an electric circuit, a layer or outer tube ofnonconducting material inclosing said wire, and a conductor extendingfrom one end of said wire through said tube to the other end thereof,substantially as set forth.

2. A non-conducting tube, a wire wound thereon and forming part of anelectric circuit, an outer layer or tube of non-conducting materialinclosing said wire, and perforated disks -of non-conducting materialclosing the ends of said tube, a conductor being extended through theperforations of said disk from one end of said wire to the other end ofsaid tube, so as to be near the other end of said wire, substantially asset forth.

3. In combination with a tube of non-conducting material, a wire woundthereon,disks closing the end of said tube, and a rod of conductingmaterial extending through the perforationsin said disks, one end of thewire being attached to said rod, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

4. A tube of non-oonduotin g material, a wire wound thereon, an outerlayer or tube of nonconducting material inclosing said wire, and arodextending from one end of said wire through said inner tube to thevicinity of the other end of said Wire, substantially as set forth.

5. A boiler or other receptacle for water to be heated, in combinationwith electric heating-tubes arranged therein, each tube consisting of anon-conductinginner tube,anonconducting outer tube, a wire wound betweenthem, and a rod extending from one end of said Wire through said tube,substantially as set forth. 7

